NEW! THE ART OF RON LESSER VOLUME 2: Dangerous Dames and Cover Dolls
$44.99
This second volume in THE ART OF RON LESSER series showcases scores of original paintings of sexy real and fictional women Ron has created in recent decades, including Marilyn Monroe, Bettie Page, Brigitte Bardot, Vampirella and Red Sonja. It also includes many of his modern “dangerous dame” paintings—new variations of the type of vintage paperback cover art he did early in his career. Volume 2 in the Lesser art series has a Foreword by another legendary cover artist, Joe Jusko, an introduction by Dan Zimmer, Editor of ILLUSTRATION magazine and many excellent art books, and commentary by Ron himself about his paintings and career. The paperback cover and movie poster artwork Lesser initially became famous for in the 1960s and 1970s is featured in THE ART OF RON LESSER, VOL 1: DEADLY DAMES AND SEXY SIRENS, also available in this bookstore here. Both volumes were co-edited with Ron by vintage magazine and paperback expert Robert Deis (editor of the Men’s Adventure Library book series and the MEN’S ADVENTURE QUARTERLY) and popular graphic designer and head of the Pulp 2.0 indie publishing company, Bill Cunningham.
Description
This second volume in THE ART OF RON LESSER series showcases scores of original paintings of sexy real and fictional women Ron has created in recent decades, including Marilyn Monroe, Bettie Page, Brigitte Bardot, Vampirella and Red Sonja. It also includes many of his modern “dangerous dame” paintings—new variations of the type of vintage paperback cover art he did early in his career. Volume 2 in the Lesser art series has a Foreword by another legendary cover artist, Joe Jusko, an introduction by Dan Zimmer, Editor of ILLUSTRATION magazine and many excellent art books, and commentary by Ron himself about his paintings and career. The paperback cover and movie poster artwork Lesser initially became famous for in the 1960s and 1970s is featured in THE ART OF RON LESSER, VOL 1: DEADLY DAMES AND SEXY SIRENS, also available in this bookstore here. Both volumes were co-edited with Ron by vintage magazine and paperback expert Robert Deis (editor of the Men’s Adventure Library book series and the MEN’S ADVENTURE QUARTERLY) and popular graphic designer and head of the Pulp 2.0 indie publishing company, Bill Cunningham.
Praise for books in THE ART OF RON LESSER series from notable readers:
“The personal works that fill this collection are simply astounding, and it takes a lot to wow me after so many years in the business. Lesser has continued to grow and improve and challenge himself with extraordinary results…Whether it be Bettie Page, Marilyn Monroe, or any of the other actresses and starlets depicted herein, the recognition is immediate. His Bettie is sexy and sultry, his Marilyn is nothing short of alluring. He manages to capture the unique essence of every person he paints. His foray into the world of comic books, most notably Vampirella (no better subject for someone who loves painting sexy women, as I can attest) shows not only an affinity for the character, but a playful sense of humor, as well.”
– Joe Jusko
One the world’s best known comic and book cover artists, renowned for cover art he created for illustrations for The Savage Sword of Conan, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, the official Edgar Rice Burroughs Authorized Library book series, and many others
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“This astonishing book – perhaps the best ever assembled about a key artist of paperback book covers – is a mind-boggling feast for the eyes. What surprised me most was how many books I have purchased over the last fifty years, how many movies I have attended, that were due to Ron Lesser luring me in. Nothing ‘lesser’ about Ron – he is one of the handful of masters, right next to McGinnis and Maguire.”
– Max Allan Collins
Bestselling author of Road to Perdition, The Dick Tracy comic strip, The Quarry novel series, and the recent Spillane: King of Pulp Fiction
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“Ron Lesser’s captivating depictions of impossibly beautiful women have always held a magnetic allure for connoisseurs of vintage paperbacks. This long-overdue and meticulously crafted book offers a rich tribute to Lesser’s illustrious career, brimming with an array of his original art, reference photographs, and a treasure trove of vintage artifacts — from paperback covers to movie posters and beyond. This inaugural volume in an anticipated series is an instant ‘must have’ for fans of paperback art, and a particular delight for those who appreciate the timeless charms of deadly dames and sexy sirens!”
– Dan Zimmer
Editor and publisher of Illustration magazine and books like The Art of Dean Cornwell, The Art of Haddon Sundblom, and Reynold Brown: A Life in Pictures.
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“The remarkable work of prolific pulp paperback and movie poster artist Ron Lesser has long called out for a detailed examination and appraisal, and this book, the first in a planned series, certainly does the subject justice. Beautifully designed and with a plethora of stunning color photos, as well as profiles on some of the artist’s most popular models, the fascinating input from Lesser himself helps make The Art of Ron Lesser Vol. 1: Deadly Dames and Sexy Sirens not just a visual feast, but an essential study which is sure to be devoured by illustration art fans and historians.”
– John Harrison
Author of Hip Pocket Sleaze, Reel Wild Cinema, and Wildcat! The Films of Marjoe Gortner, writer for the pop culture magazines Cinema of the 70s, Cinema of the 80s and many others
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“…a book that not only beautifully showcases some of Lesser’s stunning artwork. It executes a deep dive into the mechanics of his work and the economic and cultural forces that influenced it. This is not only a must-have for fans of mid-century pulp artwork, but an essential resource for those interested in changing visual and illustration styles.”
– Andrew Nette
Author of Girl Gangs, Biker Boys and Real Cool Cats: Pulp Fiction and Youth Culture, 1950 to 1980; and Horwitz Publications, Pulp Fiction, and the Rise of the Australian Paperback
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“Ron Lesser is a titan of the classic age of paperback illustration. Countless readers were instantly seduced into parting with their dimes and dollars by the jaw-droppingly alluring and enticing femme fatales he painted for the crime, mystery and sleaze paperbacks of the twentieth century. This magnificently designed and researched volume is a study worthy of Lesser’s sublime talents.”
– Justin Marriott
Editor of The Paperback Fanatic, Battling Britons, Men of Violence, The Sleazy Reader, and Pulp Horror
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“Not just a beautifully designed collection of Lesser’s exceptional artwork. We also learn about his career—and the mid-20th century illustration business in general—as described by artist himself. For fans of popular culture, genre fiction, and lovers of the best in illustration art of the period…a must-have!”
– Leif Peng
Author of The Art of the REAL Tom Sawyer and creator of the popular “Today’s Inspiration” illustration art history blog and Facebook Group
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